U.S. Copyright Office Proposes Streamlining Electronic Royalty Payment Processes and the Administration of DART Royalty Accounts

The U.S. Copyright Office has adopted a final rule to streamline the administration of digital audio recording technology royalty accounts and electronic royalty payment processes. First, the final rule codifies a procedure for closing out DART royalty payments accounts under section 1005 of the Copyright Act, which gives the Register discretion to close out royalty payments accounts for a calendar year four years after the close of that year. In addition, the final rule updates the Office’s regulations governing online payment procedures for cable, satellite, and DART statements of account to no longer require single lump sum payments when multiple statements are submitted. These modifications are intended to improve the efficiency of the Copyright Office’s Licensing Division operations and simplify royalty payment procedures for filers.